Your favs at Trader Joe's?

Hello!

Just recently, Trader Joes has opened up in my area. I've never really shopped at a TJs before and I'm looking for advice on what to buy. Please share either your favorite items and/or inexpensive products you save money on by shopping at Trader Joes.

Thanks :-)
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Replies

  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    They have a marinated tofu that I LOVE. They also have great deals on all fresh fruits and veggie. My husband gets some salmon burgers there that he really likes, in the frozen section. That is all I can think of off the top of my head, but we love Trader Joes! There is not one in our town and we drive an hour to get to the closest one, so worth it!
  • jconnon
    jconnon Posts: 427 Member
    I like their almond butter. The one that is just roasted almonds and sea salt.
  • skittles1928
    skittles1928 Posts: 57 Member
    I buy sugar snap peas there. And frozen edamame.
  • dtf88
    dtf88 Posts: 53
    Pesto Pizza and Chicken Wonton's are delicious if they fit your macros!
  • I started working there a few months ago--they have some wonderful cereals/oatmeals/granolas that are rather good. Also the greek yogurt is cheap and (kinda) healthy as far as sugar goes. Generally i've been buying veggies, cheese, and making egg white omelets.

    There's plenty to love in the freezer section just be careful--although not bad for you none of it is very good either.
  • dynad
    dynad Posts: 85 Member
    Dried Apple rings! and the granola bars
  • Seabring17
    Seabring17 Posts: 19 Member
    I was just there this week. These are the items I get everytime I go. Plus I usually end up trying new things frequently.

    Low Sodium Soy Sauce
    Steel Cut Oats
    Raisins
    Multi Grain Cereal
    Jasmine Brown Rice
    Basmati Brown Rice
  • KS_4691
    KS_4691 Posts: 228 Member
    OMGOMGOMG- Macadamia, Almond, Cranberry, and Crystallized Ginger trek mix! It's the best of all the rest.
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    Try the chicken sausage.
  • claritarejoice
    claritarejoice Posts: 461 Member
    Great thread! TJ's addict here. Take a look at my food diary for ideas. I ONLY buy my salad mix at TJs right now - I am so addicted to the arugula sorrento greens blend - there is a lot of salad I don't like so TJs makes salad edible for me, which is great for my diet. I always buy all-natural psyllium husks - it's a fiber supplement with no additives, great for stomach issues and weight loss. I love the nuts (almonds, peanuts) because I think they're less expensive and more natural than at mainstream grocery stores. I buy the met-rx whey protein powder. Last night I bought mandarins, blueberries and greek yogurt. I asked for a TJ's cookbook for Christmas (search on Amazon). Also check out this site: http://www.cooktj.com/
  • notmac
    notmac Posts: 89
    In the frozen section, frozen garlic, basil and sometime pepper. I like there nuts. Their Peppermint Candy Cane tea, is the best. You can find some great things, if you look around.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    they have premade garlic and portabello mushroom personal pizzas that are SO yummy, and even if you eat the whole thing its only 460 calories!
  • ethompso0105
    ethompso0105 Posts: 418 Member
    I just got a TJ in my area, too. I've been at least once a week since it opened. :blushing:

    I'm finding that a lot of my daily staples (yogurt, eggs, apples, etc.) are costing me way less than if I had gone to my normal grocery store. There are a lot of unique things, too, so plenty of options to help you mix up your diet.

    I'm also pretty much in love with their Milk/Dark Chocolate Covered almonds. They're not super low in calories/fat, but they *are* high in protein and are great to satisfy a chocolate/hunger craving! :happy:
  • larosita57
    larosita57 Posts: 60 Member
    The ginger granola is AWESOME! I also like the reasonably priced sushi.
  • claritarejoice
    claritarejoice Posts: 461 Member
    I just checked and literally every single item in my food diary today is from TJs lol. YES to the frozen garlic! It's the only packed garlic I've found that tastes like fresh garlic. Also TJs carries Ak-Mak crackers, fantastic for weight loss, high protein and fiber. Also it's a good store if you don't have time to cook one day - you can grab a great lunch salad or reasonably-healthy and unique ready-made dinner (so much better than regular packaged dinners).
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    honestly? EVERYTHING.
  • vanessa1324
    vanessa1324 Posts: 4 Member
    They have a great spaghetti sauce that is super low in sodium. And I love love love their sweet potato chips.
  • teacherkatz
    teacherkatz Posts: 101 Member
    Their low carb whole wheat tortillas are very good. I also love their protein bread in the blue and yellow package. I find their turkey to be very good and cheaper than other stores. I also love their pizza dough, for the kids, not me.
  • heygurlheyyyy
    heygurlheyyyy Posts: 84 Member
    Any/all of the dried fruit and nuts.

    Sushi

    Orange Mango Pineapple juice

    There's a spinach salad mix with cranberries, blue cheese, and walnuts - so good!

    Chocolate Chip dunker cookies (I think they're called dunkers) Not good for you - but we all need some junk here and there.

    Cilantro wontons (frozen)

    And Two-Buck Chuck wine!
  • poodlegoat
    poodlegoat Posts: 49 Member
    The sweet and salty walnuts are the ****
  • nixirain
    nixirain Posts: 448 Member
    We just got a TJ's here too!

    I want to cook most my meals, but when I don't have time I LOVE having TJ's stuff in my freezer for quick meals!

    Top Favs so far:

    Pork Goyza (Pot Stickers)
    Mushroom Ravioli
    Eggplant Melange (good to add to pasta or a side)
    mac and cheese.
    Jo O's
    silver dollar pancakes
    Gruyere and Ham Tart (So Good!)

    There are many things I still need to try!
  • MurphysLawTD
    MurphysLawTD Posts: 310 Member
    Roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Low sodium. Great alone or with a protein as a sauce!
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I like their almond butter. The one that is just roasted almonds and sea salt.

    Stopped by to say this
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    I save money on pretty much everything there except meat and non-frozen fish (I buy those at Fresh & Easy). I buy their produce (fresh and frozen), dairy, eggs, condiments, sauces, salad dressings, snacks (rice cakes, baked chips, salsa, etc.), soups, broth, sides, rice/pasta/couscous/polenta/etc, pasta sauce, wine, etc. I also buy their frozen munchies when we have get-togethers (taquitos, egg rolls, etc.). I think their quality is great too- I've liked just about everything I've gotten there! Their sauces are particularly good!

    I went from spending about $150 every two weeks, to spending about $90 JUST by switching from a typical grocery store to Trader Joes (I was even buying meat and fish there at the time).
  • poodlegoat
    poodlegoat Posts: 49 Member
    The sweet and salty walnuts are the ****
    I mean sweet and spicy walnuts
  • MurphysLawTD
    MurphysLawTD Posts: 310 Member
    Oh! And they make a great hand lotion called "Midsummer Night's Cream" (clever) that's unscented, clean not greasy, and the best lotion I've ever used. Only $4 or something!
  • Oh my, too many too name but I so love their variety of wafers and honey goat cheese!
  • titi4j
    titi4j Posts: 97 Member
    They have a product called "Better N' Peanut Butter" that is still Peanut Butter, made from peanuts and it's delicious! Not only is it delicious, it's HALF the calories of regular peanut butter. Regular is 200 calories for 2 tbsp and this one is 100 calories for 2 tbsp. A friend had told me about it and I thought it was too good to be true and now I'm hooked!
  • jenluvsushi
    jenluvsushi Posts: 933 Member
    TJ's Harvest grains...it is to die for! I also like the TJ pumpkin butter (similar to apple butter), all of their chocolate is delish and I absolutely love Villa Elena Moscato d'asti which is sold at TJ's.....it is my favorite wine by far and it is so cheap! Better n Butter is great too although yuo kind find it at Target as well...it is still cheaper at my TJ's though.
  • Chewster001
    Chewster001 Posts: 201 Member
    Wild Marinated Soy Ginger Cod Filets
    //end thread

    //reopen thread
    and the canned tuna, salmon, nuts, dried apricots, olives, frozen fish sticks, frozen veggies, soup and oyster crackers, and no sugar added chocolate bars... and the $4 Prosecco.